Former pro wrestler Marc Mero returns to Liverpool to motivate students

John Berry / The Post-StandardLiverpool High School graduate Marc Mero returned to his high school to the applause of students and teachers. The former professional wrestler is a motivational speaker who encourages young people to make the right choices in their lives.
Liverpool, NY -- Former pro wrestler and Liverpool graduate Marc Mero came back to his hometown today to talk to students about making good choices and reaching their dreams.

Mero, 49, is a motivational speaker and founder of a non-profit organization called Champion of Choices. He travels the country to talk with students and share his life story.

“My name is Marc Mero and I’m home,” he told the students at Liverpool High School.

Mero played on the school’s varsity hockey and varsity football teams in the mid-1970s. He also worked with boxing coach Ray Rinaldi, winning four New York State Golden Glove titles.

“People believe that success is the key to happiness, but I believe happiness is the key to success,” he said.

In a hour-long presentation, Mero shared his life story, which included a history of drug use and the deaths of several loved ones. Students in the packed auditorium laughed and cheered as Mero and back-up dancers performed Michael Jackson’s Thriller. Some students cried as Mero told the group about the passing of his parents, brother and sister.

“No matter how difficult things are in your life right now, they will get better,” he said. “It’s all about the choices you make.”

Mero was a pro-wrestler with World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation, which is now the World Wrestling Entertainment. Mero talked about using drugs and abused alcohol for nearly 10 years.

“Your friends are like elevators and they are either going to take you up or they are going to take you down,” he said. “I hung out with losers and I became a loser.”

Mero, who retired from wrestling in 2000, said he is dedicating the rest of his life to traveling around the country and talking to young people about making smart choices.